A Message to Penn Faculty, Staff, and Postdocs
December 31, 2021
We hope that all of you have been enjoying the Winter Break. We are writing with several updates and reminders, as we head into the new year and the new semester, on the following topics:
- Updated CDC guidance on isolation and quarantine
- Available PCR testing on campus and required gateway testing
- Remote work
- Vaccine booster
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance to reduce, for those who are fully vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19, both the length of isolation after contracting COVID-19 and the quarantine period for those exposed to the virus. Accordingly, we have also updated our guidance and provided additional FAQs. We will communicate further with students about this guidance before the start of the spring semester.
PCR testing is readily available on campus for all students, faculty, staff, and postdocs throughout winter break. Symptomatic testing is also available and has been relocated to Irvine Auditorium. Additional information about hours and locations can be found here. Gateway testing will be required of all faculty, staff and post-docs upon return to campus and no later than January 24, 2022.
All members of the Penn community who do not have an approved exemption are required to get a booster vaccine shot by January 31, 2022 or as soon as they become eligible if they have not already done so, and to document their latest dose in Workday. The University will offer additional booster clinics in January, and we will share the details about those clinics as the dates get closer. Those who have been granted a medical or religious exemption from vaccination will be required to continue to test twice a week.
University staff members, as indicated in our message on December 23, are reminded to consult with their supervisors about working remotely until January 24, 2022.
UPHS-affiliated faculty and staff should follow guidance from the Health System.
We will continue to share information and updates as we move forward. We wish you all good health and happiness for the new year and through the remainder of Winter Break.
Amy Gutmann, President
Beth Winkelstein, Interim Provost
Craig Carnaroli, Senior Executive Vice President
J. Larry Jameson, Executive Vice President for the Health System